just booked air fare-I do not know where to even start planning *UPDATE-hotels booked

[TLHB70]

Ok. This is going to sound crazy, I know. I have a crazy DH, though. Our DD is dying to visit London and Paris. I, mom, am dying to visit DLP. So my husband just surprised us with a trip for early next year. We had planned on going next spring, but the savings in airfare made DH change his mind. He just booked our flight for next January 1-15. Yes, we are going in January! I am concerned about it being too cold, but DH told me that we will layer up in warm clothes, hats, coats, boots, etc. He said the savings in airfare made it worth it. So we plan to visit London, Paris, and DLP!!!!
Now I have to start the planning. I am reading a lot of stuff here about booking the EuroStar early. I need to know more info because I know absolutely nothing! All I know is that we are going now. We have to book hotels, tickets for DLP, etc. I do not think my DH plans to rent a car to drive at all. DD told him we can take the train. Now I am worried that we will not be able to do that after reading some posts here.

 

[rcol]

don't panic - you've got loads of time to plan.

If you are just visiting London, Paris and DLP then you definitely won't need a car at all, the trains are fine.

I don't think you will be able to book eurostar yet. The dates are not released until afew months in advance. I think it is 4 months but may stand corrected on that.

How exciting.

 

[TLHB70]

Is it possible to take the train to/from London (or Paris) daily for DLP if we visit it a few days? Or is it too far and/or expensive for that? In other words, would it be more cost effective to take train to/from London (or Paris) and stay at a DLP resort for a few nights rather than the train daily. I am thinking of the train more like a subway. Is that accurate or not?

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Is it possible to take the train to/from London (or Paris) daily for DLP if we visit it a few days? Or is it too far and/or expensive for that? In other words, would it be more cost effective to take train to/from London (or Paris) and stay at a DLP resort for a few nights rather than the train daily. I am thinking of the train more like a subway. Is that accurate or not?

It's 2h15 for London to Paris-Gare du Nord - You have to be there a good 45 minutes before hand for the security checks and passeport control. So that's a lot of time out of your day travelling plus it's not cheap.

The lowest fare are 88€ return but they go fast.

You'd be far better getting a hotel either at DLP or in Paris itself and it's a 40-45 minute journey from Paris to the parks

 

[TLHB70]

Forgive me for seemingly ridiculous questions. I just have no clue about DLP or Paris or London. I am a WDW expert, but I know nothing about Europe. I have a huge task in planning this trip. I am excited but so nervous. I just told DH about these posts. He said we will book a hotel around DLP for a night or two when we do our visits there. He thinks we should be able to do DLP in two days. I am worried that we need more time than that!
Thanks so much for your help,everyone. I knew that DISers would be experts in this area.

 

[zinderella]

How exciting for you. I am sure that once you start the planning you will really enjoy it!! For what it is worth, here are my suggestions and comments (some of which you or your daughter may already know!)

The Eurostar (train from London to DLP)
- dates for booking are released earlier by phoning them....do NOT wait until they are on the website, all the good dates will be gone!
- Do not panic if you cannot get the train that goes direct to Disneyland Paris, there are other options and everyone on the DLP DIS board can add their expertise on the various routes.
- the DLP train station (called Marne la Vallee) lands you right on the door step of Disney and if you have chosen to stay at a Disney hotel, you can walk to your hotel.

Hotels
- if you can afford to stay onsite, do -it, especially as you will be visiting at the coldest time of year and may wish to go back to your hotel to warm up. Sequoia Lodge is good value for money I think, but if you want a hot breakfast, you'll need to opt for the Newyork (pricier but many people love it)

Weather
- yes you are going at the coldest time of year!!! But it is do-able with thermals, decent footwear, handwarmers and hot drinks, many people get into their ski gear (esp kids!!) to make sure they have a really warm experience!!

Amount of time at the Parks:
- I always am surprised when people say 'oh two days in the parks is plenty' and this advice is often aimed at US visitors...I just don't get it!!! We are now planning our 5th visit and there are still rides we haven't been on or shows we haven't seen! I guess you need to decide if you are here for a holiday (ie enjoy your time together and take things at a decent pace) or whether you are up for a commando experience where you rush around the parks and only focus on the bits that are different from the US parks. Yes the whole property is much smaller, but if I were in your position I wouldn't want to miss a single show or parade as it would probably the only time you came to DLP!

Keep asking the questions...we planning OPs trips!!!!!

PS I really like this website, it has loads of ride and dining reviews as well as latest news and offers http://www.dlrpmagic.com/planning/

 

[TLHB70]

Thank you so much Zinderella! You have made me feel so much better! I knew none of the information that you just shared. I will rely heavily on the kind inputs from fellow DISers because this is a whole new world of planning for me.

 

[TLHB70]

Ok. I have an update. We have booked air fare.....flying into London early January 1. Flying out of Paris on January 15.
We have booked our London hotel. It is the Crowne Plaza London - The City, 19 New Bridge Street. We plan to check out there on January 6. We have our Paris hotel booked as well. It is the Holiday Inn Paris - Notre Dame, 4 rue Danton. How do these look to everyone? We tried to find something kind of centrally located. Anyway, for now DH has us checking in on January 9. We are hoping to go to DLP from London. DH wants to book us in the Newport Bay Club from January 6-9. However, we have two problems....first, January will not show up when we try to book packages online......second, I can't call for the Eurostar yet. I am figuring I need to call about that on March 6.
Does the Eurostar run to DLP daily? January 6 is a Sunday. Does it typically run on Sundays. Will it likely be scheduled for our January 6 day? Also, when should I be able to book a January DLP trip? Do you think they release specials for that month since it is a low season? If we book, and then a special releases, will they apply it to our reservation? We can usually do that with WDW. What do you think we should do next?
I am getting more and more excited as we plan!

Zinderella, I was on the site that you gave me ALL WEEKEND! I read all about the new rides, restaurants, hotels, etc. I think I already have our restaurants picked out.

One more thing......our whole family bought heavy winter coats this weekend! They are all on sale right now so it is the perfect time to buy. We bought the water repellant coats with fur lining so that we can stay warm in case it rains. We got excellent prices! Next weekend we hope to look for more winter stuff on sale. Now is the best time to buy since it is all marked down.

 

[Ms Poppins]

I'm sure Eurostar will be running - I think the only days it doesn't go is Saturday and Tuesday, unless during UK school holidays - so you'll be ok with that.

There will probably be offers on the UK site for January, and will tend to be advertised towards the end of the summer season.

Don't worry about capacity of the hotel at DLP. As it's a short trip destination, 3 or 4 nights usually, it tends to have availability right up until arrival dates.

If you can be a bit patient I'd hold off booking DLP until the end of the summer or even later. I'm sure there will be a deal to be had

 

[TLHB70]

I'm sure Eurostar will be running - I think the only days it doesn't go is Saturday and Tuesday, unless during UK school holidays - so you'll be ok with that.

There will probably be offers on the UK site for January, and will tend to be advertised towards the end of the summer season.

Don't worry about capacity of the hotel at DLP. As it's a short trip destination, 3 or 4 nights usually, it tends to have availability right up until arrival dates.

If you can be a bit patient I'd hold off booking DLP until the end of the summer or even later. I'm sure there will be a deal to be had

Great news.
Ok. I will tell DH to wait on DLP. He wanted me to call them over the weekend, but I convinced him to wait until next month. I will try to convince him to wait a bit longer into the summer.
I will keep an eye out here on DIS because I know you all will have the information as soon as it is available! DISers are great!
I should go ahead and call for Eurostar ASAP, right. What is the best time to call on March 6 (That will be 10 months out)? What time does their office/phone line open so that I can call first thing?

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Eurostar run everyday to Disney, it's just that some days they are not direct

Travelling to Disney?

Direct Eurostar trains from the UK to Disneyland® Paris leave at 10:17 and leave from Disneyland® Paris to the UK at 18:02 daily but these will not run on Tuesdays and Saturdays except during UK school holidays.
Remember you can still travel to Disneyland® Paris via TGV with just one simple change in Lille, or travel to Paris and take the the regional RER train.

You can contact them as follows

Telephone Bookings

To make a booking over the telephone call us on: 08432 186 186

If calling from outside the UK call us on:
+44 (0)1233 617 575

Opening hours

8am to 7pm Monday to Friday

9am to 5pm Saturday

9am to 5pm Sunday & UK Bank Holidays

That's all UK times

 

[jothp]

I believe the winter brochure is normally released June time so that is when next January will go on sale. Make sure you wait until there is an offer on the price before you book though

 

[zinderella]

Great news on booking your flights, the more you get booked the more real it all seems!

 

[TLHB70]

Thank you all so much for your help!
I told DH last night that I feel like I can do this now. I think I can plan it with the help of all of you DLP DISers. I thank you guys so, so, so much!